Matt Rochford
Writer and Creative Director

Home / Profile

Profile

I've succeeded in quite a few different roles during my career, but the role I'm most comfortable with is advertising copywriter.

Writing ads comes naturally to me. If I have a "centre", then copywriting is it.

I spent a few years working for interactive start-ups during the dotcom boom, which was an interesting and lucrative diversion, but now I'm very happy to be back in adland.

I've had considerable experience in most forms of advertising, with the exception of print-based direct marketing. That doesn't mean I can't write print-based DM, but it does mean I have less proof that I can write print-based DM - an important distinction.

I enjoy all the aspects of working in advertising - the inspiration, the perspiration, and occasionally the inebriation.

I'm comfortable being the boss. I'm also comfortable not being the boss.

I work well in a team (two heads are usually better than one), but I can also work productively alone.

I can write long copy. I can write short copy. Sometimes no copy is best.

As for which medium I prefer to work in, I really don't mind. They all have their pros and cons. But above-the-line work tends to bring more money, more time and more respect. And contrary to what many people think, above-the-line ads (TV, print, radio) are actually easier to write then interactive ads. Trust me, I've done plenty of both.

Perhaps the most satisfying thing about writing ads is how quickly you can finish them. Or perhaps it's that you can finish them at all. I've worked in non-advertising roles where no project was ever completed. Not one. That's why I believe the self-contained nature of advertising is under-appreciated. When you write ads for a living you have the opportunity to bask in the satisfaction of a job well done on a regular basis.

I look forward to working with you.